HEAD COACH NICK SIRIANNI

Postgame Press Conference
Saturday, August 22, 2026

Q: Did you think about bringing Tanner [McKee] back out for the last drive? Why did you go with Cole [Payton] in that situation?

NS: Again, we had a rep count we wanted to get to. That's where we went right there in that situation. Obviously still wanted to win. We knew Cole made some nice plays the last game he was in this. Has to protect the ball better in that situation. But, yeah, that's just what we decided to do.

Q: Did you feel a little bit better about the offense, and particularly how things were going on the ground early on?

NS: Yeah, thought early on in the ground game looked really good. I thought those -- that second team offensive line did well. You know, and Will [Shipley] did well. You know, and then Carson [Steele] did some really good things when he was able to get in there. So there was some positives, but at the end of the day, you get into competitive situation like that you always want to win. There were some things we did at the end that don't allow to you win.

Q: How did you see Tanner improve on his performance from last week?

NS: Yeah, thought today he did some good things. You know, there will be plays that we're going to have to correct and there was a lot of positives. I know stat-wise he came out having a pretty good game, and so, but obviously for all of us there will be corrections within it. But, yeah, thought he did some good things. Made some nice plays. Had a couple fourth downs that we would have liked to convert. Not saying those are his fault in that situation, but those fourth downs hurt us, not converting there.

Q: Seemed like he got to his answers when there was pressures thrown at you.

NS: Yeah.

Q: Particularly when Carson was the outlet.

NS: Yeah, he did. He did. He found his shots on a couple when they brought one more than we could protect. You know, I thought Sean did a good job giving them answers there. Thought Sean did a nice job calling the game. There was really good communication. Looking at the play clock, again, another day where I don't feel rushed to have to call a timeout or feeling like it's close to call a timeout. Just thought the operation was really good. Credit to our players, credit to our offensive coaches, and the communication that's going on there.

Q: You and your players always talk about how important practice situations -- practice plays. Did you get enough things on film today? Had a lot of opportunities. Do you think you got a lot on film to work on during the week?

NS: Yeah, any time you step out on the field you're going to get some good things to coach from and look at. And so we'll look at that. You know, there are some situational things beyond red zone, third down, that we're just not going to put on tape right at this particular time. Those are things we discuss throughout the week, throughout preseason. In this situation we'll do this, in this situation we'll do that. So, again, we get a lot more of those -- that work in practice, particularly when it comes to specific things within two minute and four minute. Some of the third down, red zone, even the two minute will be some good things to study and learn from.

Q: When it comes to Andy [Dalton], numbers haven't been great the first two games. Do you factor in experience, what you know about him when you're looking at that No. 2 job?

NS: Yeah, I think both the guys are battling, and I'm really confident in both of the guys. We'll see where that goes. You know, again, like I said it's still a competition. The reason Andy is going in first -- in practice they're still rotating; Andy is going in first because he's not going to play as much as Tanner because he has had more experience and he has more experience within this type of system, and Tanner needs to continue to play there because I think you saw the improvements there from Tanner. So we got to continue to give both of them opportunities within practice and potentially games. See how next week goes. Obviously I'm not there yet. But that was the plan today, to go in. But everything is accounted for, yes, Jeff, to answer your question.

Q: With [Jeremiah] Trotter [Jr.], how does he make you feel about the depth in the inside linebacker room overall?

NS: Yeah, I think when you have guys, Trot has contributed on this football team for the past two years, and it's a great indicator of how defensive players can be, how they do on special teams. Trot has been a special teams ace for us for the last couple years. You know, we really rely on him in those situations so we know that because of how much space and how much room there is on a -- in special teams. They got to come up and get off blocks, they have to make tackles in the open field, so that gives you a lot of confidence there, and every time he seems to step out in a game or in practice he does a good job. I think he's an instinctive player. He works his butt off. He's physical. I think I just continue to see him get better. So I really like that room. You know, Smael [Mondon] does an awesome job. And I feel like when we're watching team meetings he's consistently on the tape of like, man, this is how you're supposed to block destruct, strip attempt. And then Chance [Campbell] had a good day today. And I'm excited about Deontae [Lawson], and Brandon George came in off the street last week and made two special teams tackles. And Bobby King, I just think is a phenomenal linebacker coach of coaching the fundamentals. At the end of the day it's about how you get off blocks and it's how you tackle and how you can lead the unit and get everybody lined up. I can't say enough good things about Bobby of how he's developed these guys as well. And so, yeah, I love that room and I think they're playing good football right now. We'll look at the tape and get more answers.

Q: We didn't talk to you after the second joint practice. What did you make of how the first unit in particular performed in those red zones, both offense, defense?

NS: Yeah, there was good, there was bad. It was a back and forth practice. You know, we went through the tape obviously a couple days ago and watched it with the guys as an offensive unit, as a team, as position coaches in position meetings. So it was good to go against a quality opponent who's well-coached. The hospitality here was great. We were able to get a lot of good work in. Sometimes when you have two days of work you can hit every situation, right? When you only have one day -- and there is benefits of going one day and benefits of going two days. But we were able to get two really good days where we're hitting red zone and two minute both days and first and second down and get back on track stuff and third down. So there was a lot of good that we take from that. I think that, again, joint practices are such a -- if the guys don't play in preseason joint practice is such a pivotal step for particularly your ones. I also think when you're on the road it's a really good connector. The guys have nothing else to do but hang out with each other. It's almost liking away for training camp. Obviously we don't go away for training camp and I'm not -- I liking in Philadelphia. But, yeah, it's a great connector and we really value that.

Q: Ty Robinson continue to come to life with a couple sacks.

NS: He did a nice job. He continues to do a nice job and have a nice preseason. You know, he's showing that knack to rush the passer, and I also think he's doing a good job defeating blocks and doing a good job in the run game. Again, I'll have to watch the tape from today. The splash plays obviously were there. I do think that just another really good -- I just can't say enough about Clint Hurtt either, how he works the fundamentals with his guys. I really value him and everything that he brings to though football team. He does a great job. These guys play hard for him and continue you have continue to get better at the fundamentals as well. That's our job as coaches, is to take players from one level and bring them up another level through all those different things, particularly fundamental coaching, and Clint has done a nice job and obviously Ty has as well.

Q: You talked a little bit about Will Shipley. How do you feel like he's taken to the new blocking scheme in front of him and building on his last week as performance?

NS: Yeah, thought he ran the ball well today. He had some opportunities to run some wide zone stuff and some downhill stuff. You know, Will, here is another guy that in his two years here has been a guy that has really contributed on special teams, and I can't begin to tell you how much like trust that builds for a player. Like when you can -- when you put him in there, he's obviously behind Saquon [Barkley] and Tank [Bigsby], but when you put him in there and he has an opportunity on special teams, I mean, it just gives you so much trust in the player. We know he can run the football. We know he's talented at that and being able to catch the ball out of the backfield. And so really pleased with him.

QUARTERBACK ANDY DALTON

Postgame Press Conference
Saturday, August 22, 2026

Q: What did you think about tonight overall? First I guess the first game did they give you a little more in terms the playbook, what you could do?

AD: Yeah, I think there was a little more that went into it. Obviously when we were going in we were practicing against them. There was some more stuff that was put into the offense and everything. So, yeah, I mean, I think we're going to look back at this and say there is some things we want back. For me personally, I'm sure I'll look at a couple plays and say I wish I had a couple of these back. Again, it's preseason. Just trying to keep moving forward and keep improving.

Q: You had some productive moments. Obviously the fourth throw. What did you see on that one?

AD: Yeah, it was good. Able to get through my progression on that one. That was one where kind of get all the way back to No. 4 in the progression, and for me, felt like just the timing and rhythm of it was right there. Coop (Darius Cooper) was in the right spot and just gave him a chance. So, yeah, I think we can look at some plays, like that one for example, and it's like, okay, yeah, some things that everybody is hitting on all cylinders and guys are in the right spots; some other ones we'll want back.

Q: You mentioned timing and the rhythm. Is that what maybe is lacking when the passes aren't being completed?

AD: Yeah, I think that's part of it. So I think for me, going to have to watch the film and kind of look and see what I can do to help with all of that. But, I mean, there is little things. I think that's part of this offense, is the timing rhythm of it all. When it's off just a little bit, not always going to complete them.

Q: This isn't your first rodeo in terms of being with a new team. How do you think this is going maybe versus some other places you've been? Has it been different because of, I don't know, whatever in this point in your career, all the new faces, and the changes that the Eagles are obviously going with a new scheme as well. Is that affecting you?

AD: Yeah, I think for me, every place is a little bit different. I feel really comfortable with the guys here. I think that's one thing that you can see the talent that we have on this team. I think from a coaching standpoint, too, as an offense I feel like I got a really good understanding of all the stuff that we're doing. So, yeah, every place is a little bit different with the transition. I'm enjoying myself here.

Q: Do you think this competition is going to go down to the wire?

AD: Yeah, I don't know. Have to see how it all goes. You know, I think that's one thing that there is not much been said. Every day is a new day, and so we'll see how it all ends up.

Q: Obviously when you have two quarterbacks fighting for a backup No. 2 job there is a chance one could be expendable. Do you ever let your mind wonder, this could happen to me if I don't win this No. 2 job?

AD: I think we're focusing on the here and now. All that other stuff is not what we're worried about. So, yeah, I mean, just focused on what we can control.

Q: I didn't get a chance to ask you how you thought you did in joint practices. How did you do in those two days of work?

AD: Yeah, you get to a point in camp where it's kind of good to see some different faces out there, get to see a new scheme. I think that's the one benefit of the joint practices, you can be in a controlled environment and everything. So I thought there were some things we did really, really well. So, yeah, I mean, I felt really comfortable with everything that we were able to do in the joint practices.

QUARTERBACK TANNER MCKEE

POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE
August 22, 2026

Q: Better tonight?

TM: Yeah.

Q: Why?

TM: Why? We talked a lot about execution and not shooting ourselves in the foot with penalties. Felt like we did a lot better job not going backwards. Really hard to play offense obviously just playing first and 20 or second and 15, whatever it is. But you can't call the plays that you want to call when you're in those situations, so just getting the rhythm, getting the drive started, I thought just execution was better as well.

Q: Was the playbook opened up just a little bit to give you more to play with this time?

TM: I would say so, yeah. I would say so, which was great. I thought Sean called a great game. Just, you know, had a couple really good calls, easy throws for the quarterback, easy reads. So, yeah, I thought it was great.

Q: How about Carson [Steele]?

TM: Yeah, how about Carson? Yeah, great. Awesome for him stepping up. You know, we just got word that JJ (Ja'Quinden Jackson) is doing okay which is awesome. But, you know, Carson stepping in, taking those extra reps and balling, which was great. Really good to see. Having a lot of confidence in him. Doing the right thing, eyes looking at the right spot. Knowing when he's the hot, knowing in pass protection who he's got. It was great to see, and just the excitement at it brought on the sideline when he was hurdling guys. It was good to see.

Q: Did you want that last drive?

TM: As a competitor you always want to go in to win the game. You know, I'm waiting for coaches to tell me when to go into the game, when do I leave the game. And so as a competitor of course I want every drive. So, yeah.

Q: Speaking of being competitive and competition, where do you think things stand between and you Andy at this point?

TM: I don't know. I play when the coaches put me in. You know, obviously put my best foot forward, try to do all the extra things, whether that's in the film room or on the practice field, staying late, talking with the guys, bonding, whatever that is. I let them decide all that.

Q: Was the process the same in term of you knowing you were not going to be the first guy up or -- you found out the at the same time?

TM: Yeah, pretty much similar to the last game.

Q: How did you feel like you did in the joint practices this week?

TM: Felt great getting a lot of extra reps against another team, which was great. Obviously the Ravens game didn't go the way we wanted, so being able to get another shot at running our plays against another team was great. Obviously in joint practices you open up the playbook a little bit more knowing it's not going to be televised and not every team will be able to watch that film. So that was great doing all our stuff. And, yeah, it was great because obviously I think we all kind of had that itch. We want to get back on the field. We want to play against someone else after what we put on film last week. It was nice we got the opportunity to do that in joint practice and obviously great tonight that we were able to sustain some more drives, and put some more points on the board.

Q: How does that help you guys settle down when that happens?

TM: Yeah, pretty -- I think everyone is different. A lot of different emotions. You know, just praying, hoping that he's okay, hopefully it's the best-case scenario. At that moment just hoping that he gets the best care and everything. And everyone is asking about him hoping he's okay, and so then word was going around that he was talking and responsive and moving so that kind of got everybody to settle down a little bit and just at least we know our teammate is doing okay.

Q: How do you feel you are in terms of learning this offense? Would you say that like at first it was kind of like a process, maybe a struggle, and then you feel like you have been kind of on an upward trend?

TM: Yeah, I would say so. Any time it's a new offense there is going to be a learning curve. We definitely had that. It's very different than what we've run in the past, so just with the new terminology, different techniques, fundamentals, and so of course there will be some bumps in the road. As long as we don't make the same mistake twice and we were trending upwards I think those will be good bumps. As long as they stay in practice. We learn in film. Learn from other people's mistakes. Especially a guy getting limited reps. I got to learn from Jalen and Andy's mistakes and Cole's as well as my own. And so just being able to stay on this upward trend.

ADDITIONAL EAGLES PLAYERS

Britain Covey, WR

(On the return game)

"It was weird because their backup quarterback was the punter. That makes it ridiculously challenging. You don't know where to line up, and nobody knows where the ball's going to go. So, it was just kind of a chaotic game, but I feel like I'm probably at the height of my game in terms of a combination of physical and mental when it comes to returning. I'm really hoping for some chances in the regular season, because I think we could be really special this year."

Cooper DeJean, DB

(On the joint practices)

"Yeah, they're good. You go through a long camp then you get to see someone else, a new offense. Things you don't see usually."

(On starting the regular season)

"Can't wait, I'm excited. I'm ready for it to get rolling. Obviously, we're still trying to get better. We have to finish camp off, but I'm excited (for the season). I think a lot of guys are excited, especially the guys that haven't played in the preseason. I'm still trying to get better and grow as a player. I'm taking on more of a leadership role right now, so it's a little different."

Jake Elliott, K

(Asked if he was hoping for a game tying field goal at the end)

"Yeah, of course. You always get a competitive spirit at the end of these games, even if it's preseason. I was excited to get one there, but hats off to them. They ran a heck of a two-minute drill."

Jeremiah Trotter Jr, LB

(On his role with the team)

"On my part, whatever my role is on this team, I try to just to be the best player I can to help out my teammates, and do 100% in that role that I'm in. Whatever that is, I just have to put my head down and grind every single day."

(On his capabilities)

"I'm definitely very confident in my abilities. As far as right now, I'm just trying to make sure I'm grinding, doing my part to be the best I can be, and continuing to improve upon myself so I can maximize my capability."

(On the opportunity to blitz and get after the quarterback)

"I love it. When we blitz, we have a mindset as linebackers with the Philadelphia Eagles that we want to get home, we want to get wins and make plays. So that's our mindset that we preach in our room every single day."

(On the sack)

"As far as my career, that was probably the fastest. I was surprised, like, how it split open like that. But I was able to get a good time in on that blitz, so it worked out nice."